W.L. Ripley Pressing the Bet

Pressing the Bet

W.L. Ripley

Dunne, Aug 2006, $23.95

ISBN 0312274610

In 1995 Vegas, Cole Springer stole gangster Red Cavanaugh's brand new Cadillac when the man reneged on paying off a ten thousand dollar sucker bet before "parking it in the fountains at Caesars". He did twenty hours community service and was warned by some thugs that Red did not want him back in town ever.

In the present in a Denver hospital, Nate Robinson receives a call from Las Vegas police asking about his son and for him to come to identify a body they believe is Jesse. Unable to leave the hospital as he is in traction, Nate calls Cole in Aspen to go to Vegas to identify a corpse in the morgue who might be his thirty-seven years old son Jesse. Cole quickly determines the dead man looks like Jesse's twin, but is not Nate's son. After eluding thugs and LVPD Detective Tara St. John (well not so much her), he finds Jesse, who believes he was the intended target and that his "dibble" was an unfortunate victim in the wrong place at the wrong time. Cole keeps digging causing havoc for anyone in his path Trying to learn the truth before Red finds him .

This is a zany insider look at Las Vegas with a loony support cast who bring out the worst in the lead protagonist, which in turns makes for a wild ride. The story line is all over the place, but no one will care as Cole keeps the plot somewhat anchored as the center of chaos in the Ripley universe. Not for everyone, fans of frenzied Elmore Leonard thrillers will want to read PRESSING THE BET as this Get Springer tale is entertaining insane fun.

Harriet Klausner